Arlund replied,
"Go ahead. Ask what you want."
Zephyr asked,
"When the wolves attacked us last week, you said one of them was a 'mutated wolf'… What did you mean by that?"
Arlund nodded, understanding the question, then explained,
"Just as humans can absorb Ascension Energy and evolve, some beasts are fortunate enough to absorb it as well. When they do, they begin to mutate and are given specific classifications.
Any creature that surpasses its natural limits is called a Mutated Beast.
Its transformation is divided into four stages: Initial, Intermediate, Late, and Peak.
Once it surpasses these, it enters a new realm of power and becomes known as an Awakened Beast.
In that stage, its primal blood begins to awaken, and it gains the ability to control hundreds of beasts of its kind.
And beyond that… the next level is said to grant a beast human-like intelligence and the ability to lead entire armies of monsters.
Decades before I was born, a third-stage beast appeared deep within the unexplored forests.
It triggered a wave of monstrous creatures that ravaged several kingdoms… until two empires were forced to unite just to bring it down.
Even plants… some of them, when infused with Ascension Energy, gain a certain kind of awareness—or become treasures that Ascenders fight over. Consuming them grants tremendous power… sometimes even a breakthrough to a higher stage."
Zephyr listened closely, absorbing every word Arlund said.
After a short silence, he asked again,
"And what about you two? Are you both Ascenders?"
Arlund replied,
"Of course we are."
Zephyr followed up,
"What stage are you in?"
Arlund warned him sternly,
"Listen, boy. Zakrox and I don't mind your questions… but most Ascenders won't tolerate anyone asking about their levels or cultivation methods.
Such things are treated like life-protecting secrets. If someone knows how you fight, they might use it against you.
Do you understand?"
Zephyr nodded,
"Yes. I understand."
Arlund continued,
"As for your question—we're in the third stage of Ascension."
Zephyr asked,
"And the huge man you killed today?"
Arlund answered,
"He was at the peak of the second stage."
Zephyr processed the information, then, gathering his courage, turned to Zakrox and asked,
"If he was weaker than the leader… why did you kill him so treacherously?"
Zakrox had been watching him, as if expecting the question. He smirked darkly and said,
"I killed him to teach you a lesson you'll never forget…
Decisiveness.
When the opportunity to kill your enemy comes—take it.
No hesitation. No mercy.
You're still a pure-hearted kid… but I'll teach you how deception really works in this human world."
Zakrox's voice slithered like a venomous snake whispering in the dark.
Zephyr felt a chill down his spine and avoided looking into Zakrox's eyes.
Arlund took over again,
"They say the emperors of the great empires have reached the third realm of Ascension—known as Domain Lords.
They range from early to late stage, and some sect or faction leaders might even reach the peak.
As for the fourth realm… some tales claim that the last person to reach it was Emperor Zarax the First.
After his fall, the empire collapsed, and all records about that level disappeared.
And with that, I believe we've talked enough about Ascension Energy. Any more details won't help you at this stage."
Zephyr nodded.
Then Arlund said,
"Go now, boy. Get some rest. In three hours, the sun will rise and we'll continue our journey."
Zephyr stood and returned to his tent.
After he left, Arlund and Zakrox remained by the fire, staring into the flames.
Suddenly, Zakrox asked,
"Will you teach him how to absorb energy?"
Arlund was silent for a moment, then replied,
"Of course."
He raised his fist, holding a clump of sand, then let it slowly slip through his fingers.
"To grow strong… so we're not trampled like dust beneath others' feet.
To survive in this world torn by cruelty."
Then he looked at Zakrox and added,
"And you… teach him archery. Teach him cunning—
until he becomes a snake like you."
Silence followed once more.
Only the sound of crackling fire and dry winds filled the night.
⸻
Three hours passed swiftly.
The first rays of dawn pierced the sky, marking the start of a new day.
With it came the renewed bustle of the mercenary camp.
Soldiers packed their tents and mounted their horses, preparing to continue the journey toward imperial lands where their next mission awaited.
Zephyr, his thin body now bearing the newly earned sword at his side, tucked a hidden dagger into his pocket and made his way toward Jones, who was lazily preparing his horse.
When he reached him, he stood beside him and asked,
"How are you feeling?"
Jones replied,
"Feels awful trying to sleep with cracked ribs…
But the bone's healing already. Just one more week and I'll be fine."
Zephyr was surprised and asked,
"Are you an Ascender?"
Jones looked startled by the question.
"How do you know about Ascenders? Who told you?"
Zephyr answered,
"Captain Arlund."
Jones said,
"Ah… that makes sense.
Well, truth is—I'm not an Ascender yet. But I'm close.
I've been gathering Ascension Energy for years now…
I just need one final push."
That piqued Zephyr's curiosity.
"What does Ascension Energy feel like? Can you actually sense it?"
Jones replied,
"Strange question… It's hard to describe.
Some say it feels like a liquid flowing through your body. Others say it's like air. Others say it's solid.
Everyone experiences it differently.
Sometimes it's warm… sometimes cold… it varies.
But I'll say this—it gives you a refreshing, almost euphoric sensation."
At that moment, Arlund mounted his horse, reached down to Zephyr, and helped him up.
With a signal from Zakrox, the horses began moving once again.
⸻
Twenty days later…
A fire blazed in the heart of the desert.
Zephyr sat before it, lost in a rare moment of stillness.
His arm had fully healed, and he had begun moving it again.
As for his bruised shoulder—it had completely recovered a few days ago.
He had asked Jones about it, and the latter replied,
"That's normal. Injuries like that usually take a month to heal… sometimes less, sometimes more."
Zephyr attributed it to the Ascension Energy in the air.
Which made him wonder:
Was my old world devoid of Ascension Energy?
But there was no one to ask. No books to read. So he left the question unanswered.
Suddenly, he heard footsteps approaching.
He looked up to see Arlund standing before him, his eyes calm and unwavering.
The man's head was bald, and his long black beard was neatly combed and trimmed—clearly well cared for every day.
Zephyr looked at him, and Arlund lowered his head slightly and said:
"Stand up.
It's time to begin your training